Well, I think I've well and truely hibernated during January so this is my first blog of 2016.I just wanted to share some early spring cheer in the form of my window boxes!Having come across dazed and weak bumble bees emerging from hibernation surrounded by nothing but grass, with nothing to feed on, I wanted to offer even just a little sustenance for any passing bees, and, of course to enjoy some colour myself. Here is my effort.

Dwarf Iris -Iris Reticulata.

Vibrant, jewel like Winter Iris are very welcome harbingers of Spring.

Aconites and Snowdrops

The last few days have been bright and sunny, if cold, and I was treated to the gratifying sight of a bee feeding on the Aconites - result! There were also quite a few flies enjoying them...I hope you and the postman enjoy them too - the flowers, not the flies!I also noticed that on a colder day with no sun, the flowers didn,t open.On reading up about them, apparently they open up when its about 10C (50F) as that,s the temperature when insects will emerge and visit.So, if I look out of the window and they are closed, I know its a pretty cold day and I,ll need my scarf and hat. They,re a bit like a botanical weather vane!We face south, so the window ledge is a real suntrap on bright days.Besides attracting insects Aconites bring a welcome golden glow at a time when skies are often overcast.As they seem easy to grow I,m surprised that we don't grow more of them in Britain. Especially as they are an important source of food for early bees. And I must say its the first time I've grown them.I plan to transplant both them and the snowdrops to the garden after flowering and let them spread, as its less exhausting for bees and other insects if they don't have far to fly from flower to flower. What are your favourite early spring flowers? Please do share your photos, and comment below.I,m looking forward to my primroses and violets blooming next.Also lookingforward to hearing from you :) !